‘Always ready to go’: Medicine Hat Fire Services at the ready through COVID


RYAN McCRACKEN


Firefighters have always put themselves in harm’s way for the sake of their community.


While the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new form of risk for firefighters to battle, Medicine Hat Fire Services acting platoon chief Scott Nadeau says they haven’t flinched in rising to the occasion over the past 14 months.


“Nothing has really changed for these guys, they’re always ready to go,” said Nadeau. “In our line of work, there are many difficult situations all the time. This one doesn’t make any difference. The firefighters are always there to step up and stand up for whatever’s needed. In all the years I’ve been doing this, I sure can say that they do that.”


Some aspects of Medicine Hat Fire Services’ operations have been scaled back, as Nadeau says their presence in the community has been significantly limited to help prevent the spread of COVID. However, local firefighters are still there at moment’s notice whenever duty calls, whether it’s a structure fire or a health crisis.


“We’ve had to suspend our safety checks at all the businesses around the city because obviously we can’t have the contact


anymore,” said Nadeau. “Usually we do several thousand of those a year, and now during COVID, when the numbers are up we don’t go out. The fire chief has mandated that we stay out of the public as much as we can, unless we have to be out.”


When it comes to dealing with medical calls for service — some of which come with a threat of COVID exposure — Nadeau says there are a number of steps taken to help mitigate any risk, but some always remains.


“Of course, we attend medical calls, and when we do attend these calls, the guys take extra precautions,” said Nadeau. “They wear suits and booties and gloves and face masks, especially if it’s a COVID-related call.”


In the event of a COVID-related call, Nadeau says firefighters must complete a full decontamination process after leaving a residence or area with a potential risk of exposure.


“The guys decontaminate themselves and try to keep as safe as possible,” said Nadeau. “It’s been a challenge, but I sure am proud of the guys for how hard they’ve worked at this and kept it up. They’re always showing up ready to go.”


NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN


Emergency services respond to a fire in the Parkview area of Medicine Hat on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.


THANK YOU


to all of our frontline heroes for their efforts in keeping us safe!


1721 Strachan Road SE 403.526.9500 www.medicinehatnissan.com


ourhealthfoundation.ca MAY 2021 - 5


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